The T5 Q&a Thread
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rtparty
Raise The Reef!
The bulb itself will not contribute to algae and cyano growth. If you are having issues with algae and cyano growth, lighting is not your problem to begin with.
Algae and cyano need nitrates and phosphates to feed off first and then the lighting will help it spread even more. The root of the problem for algae and cyano is usually lack of flow and excess nutrients.
Hey Grim,
Three questions: I recently picked up the Aquactinics Constellation 7 T5 Fixture.
1)My LFS sold me Geisemann bulbs and I was wondering what order you would suggest to put them in?
2)Also are these a good assortment to start growing SPS corals? I currently only have softies (but I want to make a change to SPS w/o MHs, hence the T5). Here are the bulbs I have:
3x Aquablue+
2x PureActinic
1x Midday
1x Actinic+
3)I was wondering which bulbs would you suggest to go on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd? There are three controlers on the fixture. 2 seperate controlling 2 bulbs, 1 controlling 3 bulbs. I like the idea of 'dawn to dusk'.
Thanks!
Three questions: I recently picked up the Aquactinics Constellation 7 T5 Fixture.
1)My LFS sold me Geisemann bulbs and I was wondering what order you would suggest to put them in?
2)Also are these a good assortment to start growing SPS corals? I currently only have softies (but I want to make a change to SPS w/o MHs, hence the T5). Here are the bulbs I have:
3x Aquablue+
2x PureActinic
1x Midday
1x Actinic+
3)I was wondering which bulbs would you suggest to go on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd? There are three controlers on the fixture. 2 seperate controlling 2 bulbs, 1 controlling 3 bulbs. I like the idea of 'dawn to dusk'.
Thanks!
redfishsc
New member
Here is a PAR, color temp, and growth relationship question.
If you have two bulbs that are pretty close in actual PAR output, does the spectrum really matter all that much in a MIXED reef? I realize corals that come from shallow water will benefit from lower K ratings and vice versa, but in a mixed reef, does it really matter?
In other words, if you had a 2-lamp configuration, which bulb combo would you expect better growth from? Let's assume all these bulbs to be "equal" in PAR output, although I know they vary by ~10-15%
I am as interested in opinions/preferences as well has any hard evidence anyone can point me to regarding light spectrum, coral growth, and PAR output.
ATI Blue+ and ATI Aquablue
ATI Aquablue and UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue+ and UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue+ and Fiji Purple
Disco ball and strobe light
Another way I can phrase this is "which is more important for a mixed reef: total PAR or appropriate spectrum"?
If you have two bulbs that are pretty close in actual PAR output, does the spectrum really matter all that much in a MIXED reef? I realize corals that come from shallow water will benefit from lower K ratings and vice versa, but in a mixed reef, does it really matter?
In other words, if you had a 2-lamp configuration, which bulb combo would you expect better growth from? Let's assume all these bulbs to be "equal" in PAR output, although I know they vary by ~10-15%
I am as interested in opinions/preferences as well has any hard evidence anyone can point me to regarding light spectrum, coral growth, and PAR output.
ATI Blue+ and ATI Aquablue
ATI Aquablue and UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue+ and UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue+ and Fiji Purple
Disco ball and strobe light
Another way I can phrase this is "which is more important for a mixed reef: total PAR or appropriate spectrum"?
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
I don't know the firing order of that fixture but here is what I would do.
Have your Actinic+ and 2 actinics come on first, followed by 2 aquablues and finally the last aquablue and midday.
As for order just keep the midday around center or even front of center. Put the Actinic plus front of center also. Like this
Actinic Plus
Actinic
Aquablue
Midday
Aquablue
Actinic
Aquablue
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
IMO spectrum has very little to do with growth. Spectrum is more about color. You can't have reds if every bulb is an ATI Blue Plus because there is no red to keep the reds red. Make sense?
But a coral harvested at 15' is used to a lot of red so if you don't provide some red, growth may lack.
I would say if you are looking for strictly growth then the first combo would do the best for that but colors may lack. The best combo up there may also be the first IMO.
But if you want to super accelerate growth and have crazy wicked colors then do the last combo you have of the strobe light and disco ball! It will make the tank look great!:lol:
I asked the same question a while back. Lots of info in my thread. Have a read
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1496092
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
DISCLAIMER: Be prepared when you go to read that thread! It will make your head spin and you will feel like you know nothing at all when it comes to the scientific part of tanks! LOL
I read that one day and said to myself what the hell are they talking about!?! I am so lost!
Great thread Snaza!
redfishsc
New member
rtparty, that's close to what I was thinking. I guess I'd really have to be coral-specific on maximizing growth, which means separate setups for each. Wouldn't work in my case.
I am suspecting the first combo as you said.
Snaza, thanks for the link. I actually remember that thread now but had forgotten about it (and I only saw the first couple of posts). Glad to be able to read it again.
I am suspecting the first combo as you said.
Snaza, thanks for the link. I actually remember that thread now but had forgotten about it (and I only saw the first couple of posts). Glad to be able to read it again.
redfishsc
New member
For retro kits, get your retros from www.reefgeek.com
Icecap makes a superior reflector (although TEK II reflectors are great, Icecaps are better).
Reefgeek has a GREAT Icecap retrofit kit that uses a standard non-Icecap ballast (ie, the bulbs are not overdriven) but DOES use the superior IceCap reflector---- for the SAME price as same-size TEK retrokits.
I just noticed it the other day.
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...inch__2x80W_SLR_T5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap
Icecap makes a superior reflector (although TEK II reflectors are great, Icecaps are better).
Reefgeek has a GREAT Icecap retrofit kit that uses a standard non-Icecap ballast (ie, the bulbs are not overdriven) but DOES use the superior IceCap reflector---- for the SAME price as same-size TEK retrokits.
I just noticed it the other day.
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...inch__2x80W_SLR_T5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap
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